By Jim Clark

Reports in the media have surfaced alleging that Somerville police officer Alex Capobianco is currently being investigated by authorities in Cambridge for paying a hotel bill with counterfeit money.

Earlier last month, Capobianco allegedly paid for his tab at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge with the bogus currency after attempts to pay with credit card numbers he read off of a tablet failed to clear with hotel staff.

According to statements made by Capobianco’s attorney, his client claims that he knows nothing about the fake bills.

Capobianco has been on paid leave with the Somerville Police Department for over a year, following allegations of illegal drug use. He is currently still drawing his $86,000 per year salary from the department while on leave.

Capobianco reportedly denies the allegations of drug use and says that he is actively engaged in attempting to clear his name and rejoin the police force. However, reports indicate that the city is trying to force Capobianco to retire, claiming that he is unfit for duty.

According to reports, if Capobianco were to retire he would still be eligible to receive half of his full salary annually.

As Capobianco is the first cousin of Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, some have raised questions about the fact that he is still drawing full pay while other officers have been let go from the department over the course of his being placed on leave.

Capobianco was fired from the department in 2003 by then Mayor Dorothy Gay after allegedly becoming addicted to and conspiring to sell OxyContin, but was cleared and reinstated in 2005.

Cambridge police have said that the investigation into the alleged use of counterfeit money is ongoing and that no one has yet been charged or arrested.